FBI Circulates Names, Photos in Expanding Probe of Nancy Guthrie Abduction

Federal authorities are intensifying their investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, quietly circulating names and photographs of potential suspects as they pursue new leads in what law enforcement continues to treat as an apparent kidnapping.

According to CBS News, the FBI “has photos and names of people they believe may be the suspect seen on the surveillance video outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door with what appears to be a gun in a holster.”

That development marks a significant escalation in the case, signaling that federal investigators may be narrowing their focus based on surveillance footage, purchasing records, and other evidence gathered over the past several weeks.

Gun Store Visit Signals Active Vetting of Suspects

Phillip Martin, co-owner of Armor Bearer Arms in Arizona, confirmed that an FBI agent recently visited his store with a list of approximately two dozen individuals, each accompanied by a photograph. The agent asked whether any of the listed individuals had purchased a firearm there within the last year.

According to Martin, none of the names produced a match in his store’s records.

“Based on that video I saw of the kidnapper at the house who was caught on camera—the facial hair that I saw on the video reminds me a lot of these photographs,” he said.

While investigators have not publicly identified any suspect or person of interest, the outreach to local businesses indicates the Bureau is actively cross-checking surveillance imagery against real-world transactions.

Authorities have stressed that the investigation remains broad and ongoing.

Surveillance Footage and Public Appeals

The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have released surveillance images of a masked individual seen near Guthrie’s home shortly before she vanished. An updated physical description was also distributed in an effort to generate tips from the public.

The Bureau has increased its financial reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or to an arrest — underscoring the urgency surrounding the case.

Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home on Feb. 1. From the outset, officials have treated the case as an apparent abduction.

DNA Evidence Yields No CODIS Match

Forensic efforts are also underway, though initial DNA analysis has yet to produce a breakthrough.

Earlier this week, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that DNA recovered from a glove found roughly two miles from Guthrie’s residence did not match any entries in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the national database used to compare unknown samples against convicted offenders.

Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the development publicly.

“The DNA that was submitted to CODIS was from the set of gloves found 2 miles away. It did not trigger a match in CODIS & did not match DNA found at the property,” the Pima County Sheriff said on Tuesday.

He added:

“The DNA found at the property is being analyzed & further testing needs to be done as part of the investigation,” the Sheriff added.

Officials confirmed that the glove was similar to those worn by the masked individual captured in doorbell footage the night Guthrie disappeared. However, investigators caution that no single piece of evidence has yet proven decisive.

Importantly, authorities have ruled out family members as suspects and continue processing tips from concerned citizens.

Walmart Purchases May Be Critical Lead

Investigators believe clothing and gear worn by the suspect were likely purchased at Walmart — a detail that could narrow the field significantly.

The masked individual seen in surveillance footage carried a black Ozark Trail Hiker backpack, a product sold exclusively at the retail chain. Detectives also believe the clothing and face covering worn by the suspect may have been purchased there.

Sheriff Nanos emphasized that the investigation has not been narrowed to a specific demographic or group.

“We haven’t narrowed it down to anything other than we have pieces of evidence that we’re looking at to try to find this individual,” he said.

Federal and local authorities continue to work jointly, pursuing forensic testing, transactional records, and public tips in what remains one of Arizona’s most troubling criminal investigations in recent memory.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI or local law enforcement.